Number of People in the US

United States Population as a Function of Time

This data below shows the US population as estimated during the years 1900
through 2000 by the Census Bureau. First, the data is entered into the Graphical
Analysis program (GAX) and graphed on the appropriate
axes. It was then found that the curve produced by plotting a population versus
time graph fit a sixth-degree polynomial function. That is, it fits the general
form A + Bx + Cx2 + Dx3 + Ex4 + Fx5 + Gx6, where the letters A through G are coefficients determined through
the polynomial regression.

This regression conveys that at the beginning of the 20th century,
the population increased gradually. However, from the obvious polynomial, the
population of the US increases more and more throughout the century. However,
there is dip, or sharp decrease in the graph around the years 1943-1945. This
signifies that the population of the country has decreased during this time period.
This is due to the large number of casualties in World War II, which took place
around this time. The population the increases at an even greater pace, which
shows that the United States recovered from the devastating war.

For this function and its parameters, the derivative dy/dx is defined as the
rate at which the population of the United States is changing at a given time.
As shown in the graph, after the World War II decrease in population, the derivative,
or slope, of the graph increases substantially from that time to the present.
Since the slope of the graph is becoming more positive, it is inferred that the
rate of population increase is on the rise. This could spell disaster in
later years. If the population continues to increase as much and fast as it has
been, then the United States, which is the land of opportunity, could face the
prospect of severe overcrowding.

When the derivative of this curve is graphed with respect to time, we see that
after 1995, the derivative takes on unlikely values. This is due to that fact
that the sixth-degree polynomial curve fit may only be valid for the time frame
of 1900 to 1995. We must keep in mind that curve fitting can be similar to art,
for it is only valuable under certain conditions. As shown in this graph, the
sixth-degree polynomial can only be applicable under the certain time conditions.
Certain mathematical equations, such as a complex curve like a sixth degree polynomial,
have closed intervals in which they are valid. Outside these ranges, the equation
ceases to yield reliable data.